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THE WHY
Reconnecting with nature has calming benefits. Many of the people I know who are first responders are under a large amount of stress and I saw a need for a therapeutic outlet. I know what painting in nature can do for me and thought that it was something I could share. Creating art with your hands and your mind takes you to a different place.
THE HOW
Plein Air MD experiences take a small group of men or women outside, either in a natural setting in the Calgary area (half day experience) or in the mountains (full day experience), painting one or two scenes. I supply the equipment (which can be quite costly and a barrier to being able to try such a thing) and give as much or as little direction as participants desire.
THE FACTS
According to the article “PTSD in Frontline Healthcare Workers” published on InstitutesofHealth.org, one group of Canadian researchers has estimated that the prevalence of PTSD among health care providers is as high as 40% (48% in ICU nurses). 86% of healthcare workers in a Colorado study had symptoms of burnout.
In another article, “The Facts and Fictions of PTSD Statistics” by Nadia Khan, published in August, 2022, the following are percentages of people within certain professions who have been diagnosed with PTSD: Military - 10-31% in adults faced with military conflicts
Police Officers – 15-18%
Fire Fighters – 20%
Emergency Medical First Responders – 20%
The numbers are clear – these populations are struggling. This program doesn’t necessarily cater simply to those who are already diagnosed. Ideally, these experiences can be accessible to any person in these fields who feel like they could benefit. Research shows that both art and nature have positive physical and metal effects.
In the article, “Why is Nature so Good for your Health?” by Jill Suttie, published on greatergood.berkeley.edu, studies suggest it could be “awe” – that sense of being in the presence of something greater than ourselves that fills us with wonder. Being in nature reduces feelings of stress or anger, improves mood, reduces blood pressure, improves physical health, and has been proven to reduce depression.
Art fulfills the brain’s requirements for allowing new learning to rewrite and erase old, unwanted learning – and not merely suppress and compete against the old learning. Art allows the participant to choose and replace negative images with positive ones.
THE FACILITATOR
Todd Lachance
I am a professional representational fine artist with over thirty years of experience. I spend a lot of time outdoors and immerse myself in the geography of my subject, I try to work in natural settings and from life as much as possible. This is reflected in my artwork. In the studio, larger paintings are created from smaller outdoor sketches. This was a process I learned from by the likes of Tom Thomson. Like my predecessors, I am fascinated with light and colour and how it affects our world. This is what I paint.
I am mainly self-taught. My education stems from finding mentorship through living artists that inspire me and directly work with them, travelling to museums and exhibitions to study masterworks of the great artists before me and of course constant study and practice in the field.
I am represented by Mountain Galleries in Banff, Jasper, Whistler and Stratford. I teach painting classes at Swinton’s Art as well as lead multi-day workshops, do painting demos, and teach private lessons.
THE ASK
This campaign is an effort to keep the cost of a Plein Air MD experience to a minimum so that it is accessible to all health care workers, firefighters, police officers and military personnel who need a break from the jobs which can contribute to high levels of stress and PTSD.
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